Florida Wildlife

The spider who made this web is friends with the other one million spiders who weave our yard into enough webs to catch Tom when he mows the yard.



There is a rumor about the abundance cockroaches in NY. I saw exactly 3 in all 5 years that I lived in the city. I have seen more than that in the 2 months that I have lived in FL. One, as mentioned before, tried to attack me from, yes, inside the dishwasher. (I slammed the door back shut and ran it on extra heat. After the cycle, removed the carcass, reloaded soap and ran for a third time on extra scrub and heat. Ewwwwwww.)



I have also been introduced to:

The Gecko.

I am absolutely sure that they out number the people in Florida.

There are also these really creepy black worms that look like an innocent piece of black string on the floor until you step on one and they come alive and wriggle around like a snake!! So far, I have stepped on three. They freak me out more than the cockroaches. For. Real.

Then you have your usual ant infestation, misquotes, and some kind of mysterious bug that the Floridians call the "No-see-ums" Because you really don't see anything but suddenly your feet and ankles look like a pock outbreak and itch to holy hell.

I have also been warned that, "With all those citrus trees in your back yard you should really watch for citrus rats." and "Gators can be anywhere you know, they can hide in a bush or under your car."

Under my car?? Really?? Is this really something that I need to be aware each morning as I leave for work? Crap.

Suddenly the crazy singing lady on the subway does not seem that bad.